Charles Caldwell Ryrie was an influential American theologian and professor of systematic theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. He was born on March 2, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away on February 16, 2016 at the age of 90.
Ryrie is best known for his steadfast defense of dispensational theology and his seminal work, the Ryrie Study Bible, which contains over 10,000 explanatory notes and has sold over 2.5 million copies. The Ryrie Study Bible was first published in 1978 and aimed to provide a clear and accessible guide to understanding the Bible for lay readers. It uses the King James Version and New American Standard Bible translations.
Throughout his career, Ryrie authored over 50 books on theology and the Christian life. Some of his most well-known works include Dispensationalism Today (1965), Balancing the Christian Life (1969), The Grace of God (1975), and So Great Salvation (1989). He was a prolific writer and teacher who helped popularize dispensational theology among evangelical Christians.
Dispensationalism is a theological framework that understands God’s dealings with humanity being divided into different periods called “dispensations.” It makes a distinction between God’s program for Israel and the church. Ryrie defended and further developed dispensational theology first systematized by J.N. Darby and promoted at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Ryrie grew up in a Christian home and committed his life to Christ as a teenager. He felt called to ministry and pursued theological training at Haverford College, Dallas Theological Seminary and the University of Edinburgh, completing a doctorate in theology. After pastoring for a few years, he joined the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary in 1953 as a professor of systematic theology. He went on to serve as dean of doctoral studies at the seminary as well.
As a professor, Ryrie influenced thousands of students during his over 30 years of teaching at Dallas Seminary. He was known for his precise thinking, organizational skills, mastery of Scripture and loyalty to traditional dispensational theology. At Dallas, he helped train a new generation of pastors, teachers and ministry leaders.
Beyond the seminary, Ryrie participated in various Bible translation efforts and served on the boards of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Grace Evangelical Society and the Independent Fundamental Churches of America. He also wrote a systematic theology textbook that was widely used in Bible colleges and seminaries.
Some key beliefs and contributions of Charles Ryrie:
– He provided an updated and rigorous defense of dispensational theology in response to critics. This included promoting a revised form of dispensationalism known as “revised” or “modified” dispensationalism.
– He argued for the inerrancy and absolute authority of Scripture. The Bible is fully inspired by God and without error in its original autographs.
– He promoted a literal, historical-grammatical approach to interpreting Scripture, taking the biblical text at face value.
– He believed in a pretribulational rapture of the church preceding Daniel’s 70th week and the great tribulation.
– He taught that salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ alone, apart from human works.
– He wrote extensively on the assurance of salvation and the eternal security of the believer. A Christian cannot lose their salvation.
– He defended traditional dispensational distinctions between Israel and the church. The church did not replace Israel in God’s program.
– He advocated a structured approach to Bible study using observation, interpretation and application.
– He promoted the use of study Bibles to help equip lay Christians interpret the Bible. This was the aim of the Ryrie Study Bible.
– He wrote about the need for maintaining balance between academics and spirituality in the Christian life.
Ryrie was a faithful Bible teacher who influenced a generation of evangelical scholars and pastors. Through his books, study Bible and seminary teaching, he helped reignite interest in dispensational theology and promoted a literal approach to Scripture. He was known for his precision, clarity and attention to detail as a theologian.
Charles Ryrie married Theda Paschall in 1947. They had three children together. By all accounts, Ryrie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He lived in Texas for most of his life before moving to Tennessee later in life.
Outside of his robust theological work, Ryrie is remembered as a train enthusiast who enjoyed studying railroad history and traveling by train. He was also an avid birdwatcher. Friends described him as humble, gracious, warm and engaging. He was not just a prominent theologian but a sincere follower of Jesus Christ.
In his later years, Ryrie continued writing, speaking and participating in various ministries up until the time of his death. He remained active with Dallas Theological Seminary as a distinguished professor emeritus. His legacy lives on through his many writings and the widespread influence of the Ryrie Study Bible.
Charles Ryrie made a significant impact on 20th century evangelical theology through his stalwart defense of essential doctrines like biblical inerrancy, salvation by grace through faith and the pre-tribulational rapture. He helped popularize dispensational theology and created an accessible, easy-to-understand study Bible used by millions. Though sometimes controversial, Ryrie’s contribution to the evangelical movement is substantial and long-lasting.
